1. Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
Chapter 7
Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology

2. Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Describe the features of telecommunications networks and identify key networking technologies.
Evaluate alternative transmission media, types of networks, and network services.
Demonstrate how the Internet and Internet technology work and how they support communication and e- business.

3. Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
LEARNING OBJECTIVES (cont’d)
Identify and describe the principal technologies and standards for wireless networking, communication, and Internet access.
Assess the business value of wireless technology and important wireless applications in business.

4. Problem: Overcoming poor location and steep competition.
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
Hyatt Regency Osaka Uses Wireless Networking for High-Touch Service
Problem: Overcoming poor location and steep competition.
Solutions: Deploy IP network, wireless LAN, and wireless clients with links to customer database to increase service and revenue.
Wireless mobile access to customer systems and wireless data and voice services enable employees to work more efficiently and focus on customers.
Demonstrates IT’s role in providing superior customer service and redesigning processes and job functions.
Illustrates digital technology’s ability to overcome business weaknesses by creating new strengths.

5. Networking and communication trends
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
Telecommunications and Networking in Today’s Business World
Networking and communication trends
Convergence of telephone and computer networks into single digital network using Internet standards
Telecommunications providers offering multiple services: Data, cable, Internet, voice
Both voice and data networks have become more powerful, more portable, and less expensive
Broadband connections of 1Mbps
Growth of wireless broadband platforms, wireless Internet access

6. Most basic computer network: Two or more interconnected computers
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
Telecommunications and Networking in Today’s Business World
Most basic computer network: Two or more interconnected computers
Major hardware, software, transmission components used in simple network:
Client computer
Dedicated server computer
Network interfaces (NICs)
Network operating system (NOS)
Hub or switch
Routers:
Device used to communicate with other networks

7. Components of a Simple Computer Network
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
Telecommunications and Networking in Today’s Business World
Components of a Simple Computer Network
Illustrated here is a very simple computer network, consisting of computers, a network operating system residing on a dedicated server computer, cable (wiring) connecting the devices, network interface cards (NIC), switches, and a router.
Figure 7-1

8. Networks in large companies may include
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
Telecommunications and Networking in Today’s Business World
Networks in large companies may include
Hundreds of local area networks (LANs) linked to firmwide corporate networks
Multiple powerful servers
Corporate Web site, corporate intranet, extranet
Back-end systems for sales, financial, purchasing transactions
Telephone network, videoconferencing
Mobile WiFi network
Key issue: Integration of disparate systems
Alleviated as networks digitize, use Internet standards

9. Corporate Network Infrastructure
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
Telecommunications and Networking in Today’s Business World
Corporate Network Infrastructure
Today’s corporate network infrastructure is a collection of many different networks from the public switched telephone network; to the Internet; to corporate local area networks linking workgroups, departments, or office floors.
Figure 7-2

10. Key digital networking technologies
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
Telecommunications and Networking in Today’s Business World
Key digital networking technologies
Client/server computing
Clients linked through network controlled by server computer
Packet switching
Method of slicing digital messages into packets, sending packets along different communication paths as they become available, and then reassembling packets once they arrive at their destinations
TCP/IP and connectivity standards
Protocol: Set of rules and procedures governing transmission of information between two points in network
TCP/IP: Suite of protocols

11. Packet-Switched Networks and Packet Communications
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
Telecommunications and Networking in Today’s Business World
Packet-Switched Networks and
Packet Communications
Data are grouped into small packets, which are transmitted independently over various communications channels and reassembled at their final destination.
Figure 7-3

12. Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
Telecommunications and Networking in Today’s Business World
TCP/IP: Suite of protocols developed for U.S. Dept. of Defense
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP): Handles movement of data between computers
Internet Protocol (IP): Handles assembly, delivery, disassembly of packets
TCP/IP allows two computers of different hardware and software platforms to communicate
Four-layer TCP/IP reference model
Application layer
Transport layer
Internet layer
Network interface layer

13. The TCP/IP Reference Model
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
Telecommunications and Networking in Today’s Business World
The TCP/IP Reference Model
This figure illustrates the four layers of the TCP/IP reference model for communications.
Figure 7-4

14. Signals: digital vs. analog
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
Communications Networks
Signals: digital vs. analog
Analog: Represented by continuous waveform
Digital: Discrete, binary waveform
Data as strings of two states: one bit, zero bits / on-off electrical pulses
Modem needed to translate between analog and digital
Types of networks (geographic scope)
Local area network (LAN)
Campus area network (CAN)
Metropolitan area network (MAN)
Wide area network (WAN)

15. Functions of the Modem Management Information Systems Figure 7-5
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
Communications Networks
Functions of the Modem
A modem is a device that translates digital signals from a computer into analog form so that they can be transmitted over analog telephone lines. The modem also translates analog signals back into digital form for the receiving computer.
Figure 7-5

16. Ethernet: Dominant LAN standard at physical network level
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
Communications Networks
Ethernet: Dominant LAN standard at physical network level
Types of networks (network architecture)
Peer-to-peer or client/server
Types of networks (topology)
Star: All network components connect to single hub
Bus: Signals travel in both directions along single transmission segment
Most common Ethernet topology
Ring: Connects network components in closed loop

17. Network Topologies Management Information Systems Figure 7-6
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
Communications Networks
Network Topologies
The three basic network topologies are the bus, star, and ring.
Figure 7-6

18. Physical transmission media
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
Communications Networks
Physical transmission media
Twisted wire
Pairs of twisted copper wire
Older type of transmission medium
Most common LAN cabling: Cat5 cable
Coaxial cable
Single, thickly insulated copper wire
Used for longer runs

19. Physical transmission media
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
Communications Networks
Physical transmission media
Fiber optics and optical networks
Strands of clear glass fiber
Used for Internet backbone
Optical networks can boost capacity by using multiplexing (DWDM) - using different wave lengths to carry separate streams of data over same strand

20. Wireless transmission media
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
Communications Networks
Wireless transmission media
Microwave systems
High-frequency radio signals that follow straight line and require transmission stations or satellites to act as relay
Cellular telephones
Radio towers placed in adjacent geographic areas (cells)

21. BP Amoco’s Satellite Transmission System
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
Communications Networks
BP Amoco’s Satellite Transmission System
Satellites help BP Amoco transfer seismic data between oil exploration ships and research centers in the United States.
Figure 7-7

22. Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
Communications Networks
Transmission speed
Bits per second (bps): Used to measure total amount of data that can be transmitted
Hertz (cycles per second): Frequency of medium, affects transmission capacity
Bandwidth: Difference between highest and lowest frequencies that can be accommodated on channel

23. Broadband network services and technologies
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
Communications Networks
Broadband network services and technologies
Frame relay (56 Kbps to 40+ Mbps)
Packages data into frames for high-speed transmission over reliable circuits that require less error checking than packet switching
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) (1.5 Mbps to 9+Gbps)
Parcels data into 53-byte cells for high-speed transmission
Can transmit data, video, and audio over same network
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) (128 Kbps to 1.5 Mbps)
Dial-up network access standard that can integrate voice, data, and video services

24. Broadband network services and technologies
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
Communications Networks
Broadband network services and technologies
Digital subscriber line (DSL) (1 Mbps – 9 Mbps)
Dedicated telephone network broadband Internet access
Cable Internet connections (Up to 10 Mbps)
Dedicated cable network broadband access
T lines (1.5 Mbps to 45 Mbps)
Dedicated lines for high-speed data transmission and Internet connection

25. Internet service provider:
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Internet
What is the Internet?
World’s most extensive public communication system, rivaling global telephone system
World’s largest implementation of:
Client/server network
Internetworking
Internet service provider:
Commercial organization with permanent connection to Internet
Sells temporary connections to retail subscribers

26. Internet addressing IP address
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Internet
Internet addressing
IP address
Assigned to each computer on Internet
32-bit number: four strings of numbers ranging from 0 to 255 separated by periods
E.g
Messages decomposed into packets, each carrying destination IP address

27. Domain Name System Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Internet
Domain Name System
Converts IP addresses to domain names
DNS servers maintain database of domain names mapped to IP addresses
Domains: E.g. sales.google.com
Root domain (“.”)
Top-level domain (.gov, .com, .edu, etc.)
Second-level domain (e.g. “google”)
Third-level domains/hosts (“computer1.sales.google.com”)

28. The Domain Name System Management Information Systems Figure 7-8
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Internet
The Domain Name System
The Domain Name System is a hierarchical system with a root domain, top-level domains, second-level domains, and host computers at the third level.
Figure 7-8

29. Internet architecture
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Internet
Internet architecture
Trunk lines: High-speed backbone networks owned by long-distance telephone companies (network service providers) or national governments
Regional networks lease access to ISPs, private companies, government institutions
Regional telephone, cable companies lease access to retail users and businesses

30. Internet Network Architecture
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Internet
Internet Network Architecture
The Internet backbone connects to regional networks, which in turn provide access to Internet service providers, large firms, and government institutions. Network access points (NAPs) and metropolitan area exchanges (MAEs) are hubs where the backbone intersects regional and local networks and where backbone owners connect with one another. MAEs are also referred to as Internet Exchange Points.
Figure 7-9

31. Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Internet
Internet governance
Internet policies established by several professional organizations and government bodies
IAB: Defines overall structure of Internet
ICANN: Assigns IP addresses
W3C: Sets programming standards, HTML standards for Web
These organizations influence government agencies, network owners, ISPs, and software developers
Internet must conform to local national law and technical infrastructure
Internet paid for by connection services and fees

32. Internet2 and Next-Generation Internet (NGI)
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Internet
IPv6
IPv4 (32 bit addresses) provides 4.5 billion addresses
Less than one address for each of Earth’s 6.5 billion
IPv6 (128 bit addresses) will provide 3.4 X 1038 addresses
Millions of addresses for each person
Internet2 and Next-Generation Internet (NGI)
Consortia of universities, businesses, government agencies addressing current shortcomings of Internet
Better performance, more bandwidth
More effective routing
Advanced applications for distributed computing, etc.

33. Internet services Client/server technology
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Internet
Internet services
Client/server technology
Client:
Software (e.g. Web browsers) on personal computers or information appliances
Servers:
Store data ( s, Web pages)
Transfer data to clients
Run services, implemented by one or more software programs, that clients can access
E.g. Telnet, FTP, World Wide Web, newsgroups, chat

34. Client/Server Computing on the Internet
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Internet
Client/Server Computing on the Internet
Client computers running Web browser and other software can access an array of services on servers over the Internet. These services may all run on a single server or on multiple specialized servers.
Figure 7-10

35. World Wide Web: Most popular Internet service
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Internet
World Wide Web: Most popular Internet service
Web pages: Formatted using Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) with embedded links that connect documents to one another and that also link pages to other objects, such as sound, video, or animation files
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP): Communications standard used to transfer pages on Web
Uniform resource locator (URL): Full address of web page, including protocol, domain name, directory path, and file name
E.g.:

36. Web site: Collection of Web pages linked to home page
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Internet
Web servers: Software for locating and managing stored Web pages, typically run on dedicated computers
E.g. Apache HTTP Server, Microsoft IIS
Web site: Collection of Web pages linked to home page
Webmaster: Person in charge of organization’s Web site
Search engines: Allow finding information on Web of 50 billion+ pages nearly instantly
Serve as major portals to Web
Early search engines: Simple keyword indexes of visited pages
Yahoo!: Originally organized favorite Web sites into directory lists

37. Search engines: Shopping bots: Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Internet
Search engines:
Google: Utilized new page ranking system and indexed combinations of words
Search engine marketplace very competitive
Search engines have become major shopping tools
Search engine marketing:
Search engine includes paid, sponsored links and advertisements in search results
Fastest growing form of Internet advertising
Shopping bots:
Use intelligent agent software for searching Internet for shopping information

38. Major Web Search Engines
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Internet
Major Web Search Engines
Google is the most popular search engine on the Web, handling nearly 50 percent of all Web searches.
Figure 7-11

39. How Google Works Management Information Systems Figure 7-12
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Internet
How Google Works
Figure 7-12
The Google search engine is continuously crawling the Web, indexing the content of each page, calculating its popularity, and storing the pages so that it can respond quickly to user requests to see a page. The entire process takes about one-half second.

40. Web 2.0 Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Internet
Web 2.0
Second-generation interactive Internet-based services
Mashups: Software services that mix and match content or software components to create something entirely new
Blog: informal chronological Web site where subscribing individuals can publish stories, opinions, and links to other Web sites
RSS (Rich Site Summary or Really Simple Syndication): Syndicates Web site content so it can be pulled from Web sites and fed automatically to subscribed users
Wikis: Collaborative Web sites where visitors can add, delete, or modify content on site, including work of previous authors

41. Intranets: Private networks using Internet standards
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Internet
Intranets: Private networks using Internet standards
Protected from public visits by firewalls
Extranets: Limited area of intranet designed for access by authorized vendors and customers
Technologies and tools for communication and e-business
Chat, instant messaging
Electronic discussions
Groupware
Electronic conferencing

42. Monitoring Employees on Networks: Unethical or Good Business?
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Internet
Monitoring Employees on Networks: Unethical or Good Business?
Read the Interactive Session: Management, and then discuss the following questions:
Should managers monitor employee and Internet usage? Why or why not?
Describe an effective and Web use policy for a company.

43. Internet telephony: Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Internet
Internet telephony:
Telephone voice transmission over Internet or private networks
Voice over IP (VoIP): Uses Internet Protocol (IP) to deliver voice information using packet switching, avoiding tolls charged by local and long-distance telephone networks
Fastest-growing form of telephone service in United States
Can reduce communication and network management costs by 20 to 30 percent
Flexible technology: Phones can be added or moved to different offices without rewiring or reconfiguring network

44. How IP Telephony Works Management Information Systems Figure 7-13
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Internet
How IP Telephony Works
An IP phone call digitizes and breaks up a voice message into data packets that may travel along different routes before being reassembled at the final destination. A processor nearest the call’s destination, called a gateway, arranges the packets in the proper order and directs them to the telephone number of the receiver or the IP address of the receiving computer.
Figure 7-13

45. Virtual private networks
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Internet
Virtual private networks
Secure, encrypted, private network configured within public network, like Internet
Provide network infrastructure for combining voice and data networks
Can be established with different, competing protocols
E.g. Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP)
Tunneling: Packets of data are encrypted and wrapped inside IP packets

46. A Virtual Private Network Using the Internet
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Internet
A Virtual Private Network Using the Internet
This VPN is a private network of computers linked using a secure “tunnel” connection over the Internet. It protects data transmitted over the public Internet by encoding the data and “wrapping” them within the Internet Protocol (IP). By adding a wrapper around a network message to hide its content, organizations can create a private connection that travels through the public Internet.
Figure 7-14

47. Wireless devices: Have become portable computing platforms
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Wireless Revolution
Wireless devices: Have become portable computing platforms
Cell phones
Laptops
Handhelds
Personal digital assistants (PDAs)
handhelds
Smart phones
Cellular systems:
Mobile phones enable millions to communicate and access Internet in countries where conventional phone or Internet service is expensive or unavailable. More mobile phones than PCs (3 billion vs 1 billion)

48. Cellular Generations:
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Wireless Revolution
Cellular standards
Global system for mobile communication (GSM)
Europe, most of world, and some U.S. systems (AT&T)
Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)
A widely used standard in U.S. (Verizon)
Cellular Generations:
384 Kbps, good for , and OK at downloading Web pages.
3G (third generation) networks: 384 Kbps to 2 Mbps, acceptable for broadband access
2.5G networks: Interim solution; Kbps. iPhone uses AT&T EDGE 2.G network maximum speed 236; actual about 80 Kbps

49. Mobile wireless standards for Web access
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Wireless Revolution
Mobile wireless standards for Web access
Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)
System of protocols, technologies enabling cell phones and other devices with tiny display screens, low bandwidth, and minimal memory to access Web-based information and services
Uses:
Wireless markup language (WML) based on XML
Microbrowsers
WAP gateway to translate Web content into WML for mobile devices
Google Mobile and Yahoo! Mobile pages

50. Mobile wireless standards for Web access I-mode
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Wireless Revolution
Mobile wireless standards for Web access
I-mode
Japan’s DoCoMo mobile phone network’s wireless service
Uses compact HTML to deliver content
Easier for business to convert Web sites for mobile access
Limited geographic adoption to Asia

51. WAP Versus I-Mode Management Information Systems Figure 7-15
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Wireless Revolution
WAP Versus I-Mode
WAP and i-mode use alternative standards for accessing information from the wireless Web.
Figure 7-15

52. Wireless computer networks and Internet access
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Wireless Revolution
Wireless computer networks and Internet access
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standards for wireless networks
IEEE : PANs, Bluetooth
IEEE : LANs, Wi-Fi
IEEE : MANs, WiMax

53. Bluetooth: IEEE 802.15 Useful for personal area networks (PANs)
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Wireless Revolution
Bluetooth:
IEEE
Useful for personal area networks (PANs)
Links up to eight devices within 10-meter area using low-power, radio-based communication
Transmits up to 722 Kbps in 2.4-GHz band
Used for wireless keyboards, mice, cell phones, PDAs, printers

54. A Bluetooth Network (PAN)
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Wireless Revolution
A Bluetooth Network (PAN)
Bluetooth enables a variety of devices, including cell phones, PDAs, wireless keyboards and mice, PCs, and printers, to interact wirelessly with each other within a small 30-foot (10-meter) area. In addition to the links shown, Bluetooth can be used to network similar devices to send data from one PC to another, for example.
Figure 7-16

55. Wi-Fi Management Information Systems IEEE 802.11 standards Modes:
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Wireless Revolution
Wi-Fi
IEEE standards
802.11a: 54 Mbps, 5 GHz,
802.11b: 11 Mbps, 2.4 GHz
802.11g: 54 Mbps, 2.4 GHz, compatible with b
802.11n: emerging standard, greater than 200 Mbps
Modes:
Infrastructure mode: Wireless devices communicate with wired LAN using access points (device with radio receiver/transmitter)
Ad hoc mode: Wireless devices communicate directly to each other
Wireless communication requires client to have wireless NICs or embedded chips to receive Wi-Fi signals

56. An 802.11 Wireless LAN Management Information Systems Figure 7-17
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Wireless Revolution
An Wireless LAN
Mobile laptop computers equipped with wireless NICs link to the wired LAN by communicating with the access point. The access point uses radio waves to transmit network signals from the wired network to the client adapters, which convert them into data that the mobile device can understand. The client adapter then transmits the data from the mobile device back to the access point, which forwards the data to the wired network.
Figure 7-17

57. Wi-Fi and wireless Internet access
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Wireless Revolution
Wi-Fi and wireless Internet access
IEEE standard provides wireless Internet access
Access point plugs into Internet connection
Wi-Fi hotspots:
One or more access points in public space to provide maximum wireless coverage
Some are free, others require registration/fees

58. Wi-Fi drawbacks Weak security (especially when not secured!)
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Wireless Revolution
Wi-Fi drawbacks
Weak security (especially when not secured!)
No roaming from hotspot to hotspot
Susceptibility to interference from nearby systems operating in same spectrum
Wireless phones, microwave ovens, other wireless LANs

59. WiMax Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Wireless Revolution
WiMax
Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access
IEEE standard
Access range up to 31 miles
Data transfer up to 75 Mbps
WiMax antennas are powerful enough to beam high-speed Internet connections to rooftop antennas of homes and businesses that are miles away

60. Broadband cellular wireless and emerging wireless services
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Wireless Revolution
Broadband cellular wireless and emerging wireless services
2.5G and 3G networks configured to provide anytime broadband access for PCs and handhelds
EV-DO (Evolution Data Optimized): Technology providing cellular wireless Internet access at Kbps maximum.
Basis for Verizon’s and Sprint’s wireless services
Many cell phones and mobile devices can switch from one type of network to another, are Bluetooth-capable, etc.

61. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Wireless Revolution
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems
Use tiny tags (transponders) with embedded microchips that transmit radio signals over short distance to RFID readers
Operate in various unlicensed frequency bands
Low frequency systems have short reading ranges (up to few feet)
Requires special middleware to filter, aggregate RFID data
Usually requires companies to upgrade hardware and software to handle massive amounts of data produced by RFID systems
Used to track movement of goods through supply chain
RFID systems can track each pallet, lot, or even unit item in shipment

62. How RFID Works Management Information Systems Figure 7-18
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Wireless Revolution
How RFID Works
RFID uses low-powered radio transmitters to read data stored in a tag at distances ranging from 1 inch to 100 feet. The reader captures the data from the tag and sends them over a network to a host computer for processing.
Figure 7-18

63. Wireless sensor networks (WSNs)
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Wireless Revolution
Wireless sensor networks (WSNs)
Networks of interconnected devices embedded in physical environment
Provide measurement of many points over large spaces
Devices have built-in processing, storage, radio-frequency sensors and antennas
Range from hundreds to thousands of nodes

64. Wireless sensor networks (WSNs)
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Wireless Revolution
Wireless sensor networks (WSNs)
May use tiered architecture:
Progressing from low-level sensors to high-level data aggregation, analysis, and storage
Uses:
Monitoring environmental changes, e.g. tire pressure in your car
Monitoring traffic or military activity
Protecting property
Operating machinery and vehicles
Establishing security perimeters
Monitoring supply chain management

65. A Wireless Sensor Network for a Security System
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Wireless Revolution
A Wireless Sensor Network for a Security System
Figure 7-19
Each level of this wireless sensor network handles different types of sensing. Lower-level sensors for monitoring events, such as doors opening and closing, motion, and breakage of windows and doors, are complemented by a small group of more advanced sensors placed in key locations, such as cameras and acoustic and chemical detectors.

66. Wal-Mart Grapples with RFID
Management Information Systems
Chapter 7 Telecommunications, the Internet, and Wireless Technology
The Wireless Revolution
Wal-Mart Grapples with RFID
Read the Interactive Session: Organizations, and then discuss the following questions:
How is RFID technology related to Wal-Mart’s business model? How does it benefit suppliers?
What management, organization, and technology factors explain why Wal-Mart suppliers had trouble implementing RFID systems?
What conditions would make adopting RFID more favorable for suppliers?
Should Wal-Mart require all its suppliers to use RFID? Why or why not? Explain your answer.